SmartLab
SmartLab (Creative Learning Systems), founded 1987 in Longmont, Colorado, is a private STEM education company selling turnkey career-connected learning ecosystems — physical labs, curriculum, equipment, and facilitator training — to K-12 public and private schools across multiple U.S. states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersLongmont, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SmartLab does
SmartLab, operating as Creative Learning Systems since 1987, is a privately held U.S. STEM education company headquartered in Longmont, Colorado, that sells turnkey, career-connected STEM learning ecosystems to K-12 public and private schools across more than eight states. Its integrated offering combines five components — purpose-built physical environments (SmartLab HQ, FLEX, and Studio configurations), hands-on tools and equipment, standards-aligned project-based learning curriculum (Explorer K-5, Pathfinder 6-8, Spark K-12 with 500+ project starters), certified facilitator training, and ongoing support — all anchored by two digital platforms: the LearningHub curriculum platform (built on Inkling) and SmartLab Spot, which unifies curriculum resources, professional learning, and support. The company addresses declining STEM engagement and uneven preparation for college and career by embedding real-world career connections, ISTE/NGSS/CCSS alignment, and equity-oriented programming into a single deployable lab system.
Revenue is generated through a mix of one-time environment and hardware sales (HQ, FLEX, Studio configurations, plus a SmartLab Enhancement Catalog for upgrades), recurring curriculum subscriptions with annual innovation funds, and professional development revenue, typically structured as multi-year contracts. Pricing varies materially by configuration, space size, grade band, and equipment scope, and schools commonly fund purchases through blended district, state, federal, grant, and philanthropic sources. The go-to-market is a direct enterprise field sales motion targeting district administrators and school leaders, supported by site visits to existing SmartLab installations, content marketing (blog, resources, video), social media, email, and education industry events.
The company is led by CEO Dr. Jennifer Berry with Raymond Mitchell as SVP of Sales. Notable recent strategic activity includes a November 2025 research partnership with Johns Hopkins University's Center for Research and Reform in Education to study program impact, the national STEM Identity Day initiative, the ISTE Seal of Alignment for SmartLab Spark (valid 2025-2027), and awards including Tech & Learning Best of 2025 and Great Place to Work Certification (2026-2027). No venture capital, private equity, or public ownership structure has been disclosed, and the company has not reported any M&A, restructuring, or acquisition activity.
SmartLab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SmartLab
- Legal name
- Creative Learning Systems
- Website
- https://smartlablearning.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SmartLab (Creative Learning Systems), founded 1987 in Longmont, Colorado, is a private STEM education company selling turnkey career-connected learning ecosystems — physical labs, curriculum, equipment, and facilitator training — to K-12 public and private schools across multiple U.S. states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SmartLab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 STEM Education Solutions
- NAICS
- Computer Training (611420), Computer Training (61142)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM Project-Based Learning (PBL) & Challenge Platforms (EDAFANAI), Math & Science Interactive Learning Platforms (STEM Core) (EDAFANAH), STEM Teacher Tools, Curriculum & Lesson Planning Platforms (EDAFANAK), AI/ML Learning Platforms for Students (EDAFANAE)
Keywords
Where SmartLab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Longmont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SmartLab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- SmartLab STEM Environments: Schools purchase SmartLab environments (HQ, FLEX, or Studio configurations) which include purpose-built physical spaces, preconfigured technology, and professional installation. Pricing varies based on space size, grade levels, technology, and equipment needs.
- Hands-on Tools & Equipment: Schools purchase durable, reusable equipment kits matched to curricular goals by grade band. Includes built-in refresh cycles and annual innovation credits for upgrades and replacement parts.
- Curriculum & Professional Development: Ongoing curriculum updates, facilitator certification training, and professional development provided as part of sustained partnership, with annual innovation funds for program growth.
- SmartLab Enhancement Catalog: Schools can order additional equipment, technology upgrades, and professional development through the customer catalog to expand or refresh their SmartLab.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | SmartLab HQ - Full-scale immersive lab experience |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | SmartLab FLEX - Modular flexible setup |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | SmartLab Studio - Media production environment |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
SmartLab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SmartLab provides turnkey K-12 STEM learning ecosystems that integrate customized physical lab environments (HQ, FLEX, Studio configurations), hands-on tools and equipment kits, career-connected project-based learning curriculum (Explorer K-5, Pathfinder 6-8, Spark K-12), digital platforms (LearningHub and SmartLab Spot), and a Certified Facilitator professional development program. Schools purchase complete environments with purpose-built spaces, preconfigured technology, professional installation, ongoing curriculum updates, and sustained partnership support.
Product overview
SmartLab is a career-connected STEM ecosystem comprising five integrated components: career-connected PBL curriculum, hands-on tools and equipment, customized learning environments, SmartLab Certified Facilitator training, and ongoing support and partnership. The product portfolio includes three environment types (SmartLab HQ as flagship full-scale lab, SmartLab FLEX for modular/mobile implementations, and SmartLab Studio for media production), three curriculum programs (Explorer K-5, Pathfinder 6-8, and Spark K-12), supported by two digital platforms (LearningHub and SmartLab Spot). The ecosystem also includes the STEM Identity Day national initiative and Certified Facilitator professional development program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Explorer: K-5 elementary STEM curriculum program that introduces STEM tools through flexible, interdisciplinary challenges connected to real-world careers.
- Pathfinder
- Spark
- Studio
- SmartLab HQ
- SmartLab Flex
- SmartLab Spot
Products and services
- SmartLab HQ SmartLab's flagship full-scale, immersive STEM learning environment with fully stocked K-12 programs, including career-connected PBL curriculum, hands-on tools and equipment, purpose-built environment design, facilitator training, and ongoing support. Designed for schools seeking a purpose-built, ADA-compliant STEM lab with professionally designed layout, preconfigured technology, and full installation.
- SmartLab FLEX Modular, adaptable STEM learning environment with mobile storage and flexible configurations for space-constrained schools or phased program implementations, serving shared rooms and varied budgets while maintaining the same instructional framework and curriculum as SmartLab HQ. Lower initial investment than the flagship HQ configuration.
- SmartLab Studio Media production and broadcast learning environment with green screens, cameras, microphones, sound boards, and editing tools for students to produce original content including podcasts and video campaigns, building communication skills for careers in media and entertainment.
- SmartLab Explorer (K-5) Elementary STEM curriculum for grades K-5 that introduces STEM tools through flexible, interdisciplinary challenges connecting classroom learning to real-world careers. Features the SMART Friends mascot and three SMART Challenge types: Skill Builder, Investigation, and Invention.
- SmartLab Pathfinder (6-8) Middle school STEM curriculum with four core courses (Engineering Design, App Design, Digital Media, Robotics) where students experience real industry tools and career challenges, building technical fluency, problem-solving skills, and career awareness for CTE pathways.
- SmartLab Spark (K-12) Flexible, student-led STEM curriculum scalable K-12 with hundreds of project starters across eight Areas of Exploration. Supports structured independence through self-directed projects using real-world tools, adaptable for high school STEM courses, elementary specials, middle school enrichment, and after-school programs. Holds the ISTE Seal of Alignment valid August 2025 through 2027.
- LearningHub SmartLab's online digital curriculum platform providing standards-aligned project-based curriculum, student portfolio documentation, educator progress monitoring, and searchable standards alignment guides. Built on the Inkling platform.
- SmartLab Spot Connected platform unifying curriculum resources, professional learning, and ongoing support into a single streamlined experience. Provides facilitators direct access to LearningHub, tools, and the SmartLab community, with visibility into professional learning and just-in-time support.
- SmartLab Certified Facilitator Program Professional learning program preparing educators to deliver and adapt the full SmartLab program. Includes five weeks of live cohort training with virtual sessions, self-paced learning, and optional office hours, building facilitator confidence, classroom readiness, and ongoing peer support.
- Hands-on Tools and Equipment Kits Durable, reusable equipment kits matched to curricular goals by grade band, sold with built-in refresh cycles and annual innovation credits for upgrades and replacement parts. Schools can order additional equipment and technology upgrades through the SmartLab Enhancement Catalog.
Quantifiable outcome
- Schools begin seeing early indicators of success within first few sessions including increased student engagement, enthusiasm, and participation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SmartLab
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SmartLab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability1 record
Feature4 records
SmartLab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Johns Hopkins University Center for Research and Reform in EducationcoreSmartLab contracted with Johns Hopkins University Center for Research and Reform in Education (CRRE) to conduct a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study evaluating the impact of SmartLab Explorer and Pathfinder programs on student outcomes. Research will examine effects on math and science achievement and students' STEM identity across schools in Texas, Illinois, and California.
- MidAmerica Industrial ParkminorMidAmerica Industrial Park leaders partner with local schools through SmartLab to build stronger workforce pipelines, connecting students to local industry and career opportunities.
- Local Businesses and Civic GroupsminorCommunity partners invited to participate in STEM Identity Day events as guest speakers, volunteers, and supporters to broaden students' concept of STEM in real-world work.
- North Dakota Center for Distance EducationminorPartnership to provide equal access to quality project-based learning for rural students in North Dakota, addressing funding issues, technology gaps, and STEM teacher shortages.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SmartLab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LEGO Education: LEGO Education provides hands-on STEM learning kits, curriculum, and professional development for K-12 classrooms worldwide. Directly comparable as a turnkey, standards-aligned STEM ecosystem combining physical tools and curriculum, competing for the same district-level STEM budget SmartLab targets.
- STEMscopes (Accelerate Learning): STEMscopes is a leading K-12 STEM curriculum platform used by millions of students across U.S. districts. Directly comparable to SmartLab's career-connected PBL curriculum component, with similar standards alignment (NGSS) and district-wide adoption motion, though STEMscopes is largely digital rather than hardware-driven.
- Project Lead The Way (PLTW): PLTW provides K-12 STEM, computer science, and biomedical curriculum with hands-on project-based learning and teacher training. Directly comparable to SmartLab's career-connected PBL approach, serving the same district buyers with multi-year curriculum + PD contracts.
- PASCO Scientific: PASCO Scientific supplies K-16 science instrumentation, sensors, and lab curriculum with professional development. Comparable to SmartLab as a turnkey STEM lab vendor combining physical equipment, curriculum, and teacher training, especially at the high school level.
Emerging players
- Sphero: Sphero makes programmable robots and STEAM kits for K-12 education, including curriculum and teacher resources. Comparable as a hands-on STEM tools + curriculum provider but with a narrower robotics focus versus SmartLab's broader career-connected curriculum portfolio.
- VEX Robotics: VEX Robotics provides K-12 robotics kits, curriculum, and the VEX Robotics Competition ecosystem. Comparable as a STEM hands-on tools and curriculum provider competing for the same maker/robotics budget lines that SmartLab Pathfinder and Spark address.
- Tynker: Tynker provides K-12 coding and STEM curriculum with self-paced online learning. Comparable on the curriculum/software side, particularly SmartLab Pathfinder's App Design course, though Tynker is digital-only and lacks the physical lab environment component.
- Makeblock: Makeblock provides STEAM education robotics, coding hardware, and curriculum for K-12. Comparable as a hands-on STEM tools + curriculum provider competing for maker-space and robotics budgets that overlap with SmartLab Pathfinder and Spark offerings.
Broad incumbents
- BrainPOP: BrainPOP delivers K-12 digital STEM, science, and coding curriculum across subjects with broad district adoption. Comparable as a standards-aligned supplemental STEM content provider but lacks SmartLab's hands-on tools and physical lab environment layer.
- Discovery Education: Discovery Education is a broad K-12 digital content provider with STEM, science, and career-readiness curriculum used by a large share of U.S. districts. Comparable as a standards-aligned STEM content vendor with district sales motion but no physical lab environment, positioning it as a substitute rather than a like-for-like competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SmartLab social profiles
Digital presenceSmartLab compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
SmartLab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SmartLab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
SmartLab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SmartLab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SmartLab
What does SmartLab do?
SmartLab provides turnkey K-12 STEM learning ecosystems that integrate customized physical lab environments (HQ, FLEX, Studio configurations), hands-on tools and equipment kits, career-connected project-based learning curriculum (Explorer K-5, Pathfinder 6-8, Spark K-12), digital platforms (LearningHub and SmartLab Spot), and a Certified Facilitator professional development program. Schools purchase complete environments with purpose-built spaces, preconfigured technology, professional installation, ongoing curriculum updates, and sustained partnership support.
Is SmartLab a public or private company?
SmartLab is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was SmartLab founded?
SmartLab was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SmartLab based?
SmartLab is headquartered in Longmont, United States, in the North America region.
How does SmartLab make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. SmartLab STEM Environments are the primary driver. The others are hands-on Tools & Equipment, curriculum & Professional Development and smartLab Enhancement Catalog.
Who are SmartLab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LEGO Education, STEMscopes (Accelerate Learning), Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and PASCO Scientific. Emerging players are Sphero, VEX Robotics, Tynker and Makeblock. Broad incumbents are BrainPOP and Discovery Education.
Does SmartLab have an API?
No public API is recorded for SmartLab.
What industry is SmartLab in?
SmartLab's product category is K-12 STEM Education Solutions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAMAG, Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms), with a secondary code of EDAFANAI, STEM Project-Based Learning (PBL) & Challenge Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611420 and its SIC code is 7372.